The most helpful favourable review

The most helpful critical review

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 starsA wonderful fairy tale romance for teens
Rose has begun her training as the healer's apprentice. She hopes to learn the job well so that someday she can be the healer of Hagenheim Castle and not have to marry any aging bachelors. But the mere sight of blood makes Rose swoon. Still, she is determined to make this life work for herself.

3.0 out of 5 starsAn average novel lacking personality
Though an interesting concept which had me hooked for the first 50 pages, the plot was achingly familiar and predictable - no surprises, twists or real personality to the novel, with conventional characters and not so subtle hints for the ending sledgehammered into every page.Read once and found this novel just fine for a rainy afternoon, however unlikely to read...

Rose has begun her training as the healer's apprentice. She hopes to learn the job well so that someday she can be the healer of Hagenheim Castle and not have to marry any aging bachelors. But the mere sight of blood makes Rose swoon. Still, she is determined to make this life work for herself.

One day, when the master healer is away, Lord Hamlin, heir to Hagenheim Castle, is brought in with a grievous wound. Rose is the only one who can help. As she struggles to do a good job, she cannot help but notice how handsome and kind Lord Hamlin is. But she is a mere peasant, and Lord Hamlin is betrothed to another. Rose must fight against her attraction and focus on becoming a healer. For that is her destiny, is it not?

Melanie Dickerson writes a wonderful fairy tale romance. Her characters are noble and good, yet struggle with doing the right thing and sometimes fail. She paints a realistic medieval world from the beauty of Hagenheim Castle to the laws that governed society then. I was drawn in from page one and read the whole book in one day. If you love medieval stories, fairy tales, and romance, you must read this book. I'm so excited about Melanie Dickerson's writing. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. Highly recommended.

Though an interesting concept which had me hooked for the first 50 pages, the plot was achingly familiar and predictable - no surprises, twists or real personality to the novel, with conventional characters and not so subtle hints for the ending sledgehammered into every page.Read once and found this novel just fine for a rainy afternoon, however unlikely to read again.